Antenna control system

Abstract

An antenna control system enabling the remote variation of antenna beam tilt. A drive means continuously adjusts phase shifters of a feed distribution network to radiating elements to continuously vary antenna beam tilt. A controller enables the beam tilt of a number of antenna at a site to be remotely varied.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A cellular base station antenna system for adjusting a fixed beam elevation, the system comprising: 
       an elongated panel antenna having a front side and a back side, the front side configured to mount first, second, third and fourth radiating elements thereon, the radiating elements configured to produce a beam;  
       a first mechanical phase shifting component mounted on the back side of the panel antenna and including a first transmission line component electrically connected at a first end to one end of a first signal path, the first signal path coupled at an opposite end to the first radiating element, said first transmission line component being connected at an opposed second end to one end of a second signal path, the second signal path coupled at an opposite end to the second radiating element, and a signal-conducting moveable component configured to move along the first transmission line component to shorten the signal path to one of the first and second radiating elements while lengthening the signal path to the other of the first and second radiating elements;  
       a second mechanical phase shifting component positioned on the back side of the panel antenna and including a second transmission line component electrically connected at a first end to one end of a third signal path, the third signal path coupled at an opposite end to the third radiating element, said second transmission line component being connected at an opposed second end to one end of a fourth signal path, the fourth signal path coupled at an opposite end to the fourth radiating element, and a signal-conducting moveable component configured to move along the second transmission line component to shorten the signal path to one of the third and fourth radiating elements while lengthening the signal path to the other of the third and fourth radiating elements;  
       a moveable mechanical linkage interconnecting the moveable components of the first and second phase shifting components, the linkage configured to simultaneously move the moveable components of the first and second phase shifting components such that a fixed elevation of the beam changes in relation to the direction and magnitude of movement of the mechanical linkage;  
       a motor coupled to the mechanical linkage and responsive to a control signal; and  
       a motor controller located remotely from the panel antenna and electrically connected to the motor, the controller selectively producing a control signal to move the beam from a first fixed elevation to a second fixed elevation.  
     
     
       2. The antenna system of  claim 1  wherein the mechanical linkage includes an arrangement for converting between rotary and linear movement. 
     
     
       3. The antenna system of  claim 1  wherein the mechanical linkage includes an elongated member extending lengthwise along a portion of the panel antenna and located between the motor and the moveable components of the first and second phase shifting components. 
     
     
       4. The panel antenna of  claim 3  wherein the motor is a stepper motor having a rotary output shaft drivingly coupled to the elongated member by a threaded element which advances and retracts the elongated member in the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 3  wherein the coupling between the motor and the mechanical linkage converts rotary movement of the motor to linear movement of the elongated member in lengthwise direction along the panel antenna. 
     
     
       6. The antenna system of  claim 1  wherein the mechanical linkage is configured to move the moveable components of the first and second phase shifting components at different rates. 
     
     
       7. The antenna system of  claim 1  wherein the mechanical linkage is configured to move the moveable component of one of the first and second phase shifting components at twice the rate relative to the moveable component of the other of the first and second phase shifting components. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1  wherein said controller is adapted to adjust a phasing of signals supplied to at least selected radiating elements so as to cause a predetermined increase in a downtilt angle of the beam or a predetermined decrease in a downtilt angle of the beam. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1  wherein said controller is adapted to measure a phase value of signals supplied to at least some of the radiating elements. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1  wherein said controller is adapted to identify a status of said antenna. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1  further including a user interface operatively coupled to the controller. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11  wherein the user interface permits actions selected from the group of actions consisting of a) selecting one of a plurality of antennas, b) setting an antenna beam angle, c) nudging an antenna beam angle, d) resetting an antenna beam angle, e) measuring an antenna beam angle, f) enabling an antenna, g) disabling an antenna, h) locking controls of the user interface, and i) unlocking controls of the user interface. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 11  wherein the user interface provides indications selected from the group of indications consisting of a) the antenna beam angle could not be set, b) the antenna beam angle could not be measured, c) the antenna could not be enabled, d) the antenna could not be locked, e) the controller was not able to communication with the antenna, f) motor failure, g) an antenna error has occurred, h) the antenna could not be nudged, and i) the antenna is functioning normally. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 1  wherein data corresponding to antenna beam angle parameters is stored in a file accessible by the controller. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 1  wherein said motor is a stepper motor. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 15  wherein said controller supplies a predetermined number of drive pulses to said motor. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 1  wherein said controller is a personal computer. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 1  wherein said controller is located at a base of an antenna site and connected to the motor by wires, the controller selectively producing a control signal to move the beam from a first fixed elevation to a second fixed elevation. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 1  including a second controller located remotely from, and coupled to, said motor controller, the motor controller being responsive to commands produced by the second controller. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 19  wherein said second controller is adapted to measure a phase value of signals supplied to at least some of the radiating elements. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 19  wherein said second controller is adapted to identify a status of said antenna. 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 19  wherein said second controller includes a user interface. 
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 22  wherein the user interface permits actions selected from the group of actions consisting of a) selecting one of a plurality of antennas, b) setting an antenna beam angle, c) nudging an antenna beam angle, d) resetting an antenna beam angle, e) measuring an antenna beam angle, f) enabling an antenna, g) disabling an antenna, h) locking controls of the user interface, and i) unlocking controls of the user interface. 
     
     
       24. The system of  claim 22  wherein the user interface provides indications selected from the group of indications consisting of a) the antenna beam angle could not be set, b) the antenna beam angle could not be measured, c) the antenna could not be enabled, d) the antenna could not be locked, e) the controller was not able to communication with the antenna, f) motor failure, g) an antenna error has occurred, h) the antenna could not be nudged, and i) the antenna is functioning normally. 
     
     
       25. The system of  claim 19  wherein data corresponding to antenna beam angle parameters is stored in a file accessible by the second controller. 
     
     
       26. The system of  claim 19  wherein said second controller is a personal computer. 
     
     
       27. A cellular base station antenna system, the system comprising: 
       a) first and second assemblies, each comprising:  
       an elongated panel antenna having a front side and a back side, the front side configured to mount first, second, third and fourth radiating elements thereon, the radiating elements configured to produce a beam;  
       a first mechanical phase shifting component mounted on the back side of the panel antenna and including a first transmission line component electrically connected at a first end to one end of a first signal path, the first signal path coupled at an opposite end to the first radiating element, said first transmission line component being connected at an opposed second end to one end of a second signal path, the second signal path coupled at an opposite end to the second radiating element, and a signal-conducting moveable component configured to move along the first transmission line component to shorten the signal path to one of the first and second radiating elements while lengthening the signal path to the other of the first and second radiating elements;  
       a second mechanical phase shifting component positioned on the back side of the panel antenna and including a second transmission line component electrically connected at a first end to one end of a third signal path, the third signal path coupled at an opposite end to the third radiating element, said second transmission line component being connected at an opposed second end to one end of a fourth signal path, the fourth signal path coupled at an opposite end to the fourth radiating element, and a signal-conducting moveable component configured to move along the second transmission line component to shorten the signal path to one of the third and fourth radiating elements while lengthening the signal path to the other of the third and fourth radiating elements;  
       a moveable mechanical linkage interconnecting the moveable components of the first and second phase shifting components, the linkage configured to simultaneously move the moveable components of the first and second phase shifting components such that elevation of the beam changes in relation to the direction and magnitude of movement of the mechanical linkage;  
       a motor coupled to the mechanical linkage and responsive to a control signal; and  
       b) a motor controller located remotely from the first and second assemblies and electrically connected to the motors of each of the first and second assemblies, the motor controller selectively supplying control signals to the motors to thereby adjust the fixed elevation of the beams produced by each of the first and second assemblies.  
     
     
       28. The antenna system of  claim 27  wherein the mechanical linkage includes an arrangement for converting between rotary and linear movement. 
     
     
       29. The antenna system of  claim 27  wherein the mechanical linkage includes an elongated member extending lengthwise along a portion of each of the first and second panel antennas and located between the motor and the moveable components of the first and second phase shifting components of each panel antenna. 
     
     
       30. The antenna system of  claim 27  wherein the mechanical linkage is configured to move the moveable components of the first and second phase shifting components at different rates. 
     
     
       31. The antenna system of  claim 27  wherein the mechanical linkage is configured to move the moveable component of one of the first and second phase shifting components at twice the rate of the moveable component of the other of the first and second phase shifting components. 
     
     
       32. A panel antenna comprising: 
       an elongated panel defining a longitudinal direction and having a front side and a back side, the front side configured to mount a plurality of radiating elements and to produce a beam of fixed elevation;  
       a plurality of phase shifting components longitudinally spaced along the back side of the panel, each phase shifting component coupled to at least one of the radiating elements, each phase shifting component including a first element and a second element, one of the first and second elements movable with respect to the other element;  
       an elongated member extending along the longitudinal direction of the panel and coupled to the movable element of each phase shifting component, the moveable element of each phase shifting component driven by the elongated member moving in the longitudinal direction along the panel;  
       a motor coupled to the elongated member and responsive to a control signal to move the elongated member in the longitudinal direction; and  
       a controller located remotely from the panel and electrically connected to the motor, the controller selectively producing a control signal to control movement of the elongated member and the movable element of each phase shifting component to adjust the fixed elevation of the beam.  
     
     
       33. The panel of  claim 32  herein the motor is a stepper motor having a rotary output shaft drivingly coupled to the elongated member by a threaded element which advances and retracts the elongated member in the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
       34. A cellular base station antenna system comprising: 
       a. an elongated panel antenna adapted to be mounted vertically and having a front side and a back side, said panel antenna producing a beam and comprising:  
       i. a feed system configured to supply signals to an arrangement of spaced first, second, third and fourth radiating elements on the front side of the panel antenna; and  
       ii. an electromechanical phase adjustment system comprising:  
       1. a first mechanical phase shifting component located on the back side of the panel antenna and in said feed system;  
       2. said first phase shifting component having a first transmission line component coupled at opposed ends to the first and second radiating elements, and a first signal-conducting moveable component configured to move across said first transmission line component to shorten a signal path length to one of said first and second coupled radiating elements while lengthening a signal path length to the other of the first and second coupled radiating elements;  
       3. a second mechanical phase shifting component located on the back side of the panel antenna and in said feed system;  
       4. said second phase shifting component having a second transmission line component coupled at opposed ends to the third and fourth radiating elements, and a second signal-conducting moveable component configured to move across said second transmission line component to shorten a signal path length to one of said third and fourth coupled radiating elements while lengthening a signal path length to the other of the third and fourth coupled radiating elements;  
       5. a mechanical linkage interconnecting said first and second moveable components, said linkage arranged such that movement of said linkage causes said first and second moveable components to move, and a beam elevation to change in relation to a direction and magnitude of movement of said linkage; and  
       6. a motor mechanically coupled to said linkage such that energizing said motor moves said linkage; and  
       b. a beam elevation control system comprising:  
       i. a motor controller located at the base of an antenna site and connected to said motor, said motor controller configured to send beam elevation commands to said motor to effect adjustments in beam elevation;  
       ii. a central controller located remotely from said motor controller and coupled to said motor controller.  
     
     
       35. The antenna system of  claim 34  wherein the mechanical linkage includes an arrangement for converting between rotary and linear movement. 
     
     
       36. The antenna system of  claim 35  wherein the mechanical linkage includes an elongated member extending lengthwise along a portion of the panel antenna and located between the motor and the moveable components of the first and second phase shifting components. 
     
     
       37. The system of  claim 36  wherein the coupling between the motor and the mechanical linkage converts rotary movement of the motor to linear movement of the elongated member in the lengthwise direction along the panel antenna. 
     
     
       38. The system of  claim 36  wherein said controller is adapted to adjust a phasing of signals supplied to at least selected radiating elements so as to cause a predetermined increase in a downtilt angle of the beam or a predetermined decrease in a downtilt angle of the beam. 
     
     
       39. The system of  claim 36  wherein said controller is adapted to measure a phase value of signals supplied to at least some of the radiating elements. 
     
     
       40. The system of  claim 36  wherein said controller is adapted to identify a status of said antenna. 
     
     
       41. The antenna system of  claim 34  wherein the mechanical linkage is configured to move the moveable components of the first and second phase shifting components at different rates. 
     
     
       42. The panel antenna of  claim 32  wherein the motor is a stepper motor having a rotary output shaft drivingly coupled to the elongated member by a threaded element which advances and retracts the elongated member in the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
       43. The antenna system of  claim 34  wherein the mechanical linkage is configured to move the moveable component of one of the first and second phase shifting components at twice the rate relative to the moveable component of the other of the first and second phase shifting components. 
     
     
       44. The system of  claim 34  further including a user interface operatively coupled to the controller. 
     
     
       45. The system of  claim 44  wherein the user interface provides indications selected from the group of indications consisting of a) the antenna beam angle could not be set, b) the antenna beam angle could not be measured, c) the antenna could not be enabled, d) the antenna could not be locked, e) the controller was not able to communication with the antenna, f) motor failure, g) an antenna error has occurred, h) the antenna could not be nudged, and i) the antenna is functioning normally. 
     
     
       46. The system of  claim 44  wherein data corresponding to antenna beam angle parameters is stored in a file accessible by the controller. 
     
     
       47. The system of  claim 44  wherein said motor is a stepper motor. 
     
     
       48. The system of  claim 47  wherein said controller supplies a predetermined number of drive pulses to said motor. 
     
     
       49. The system of  claim 44  wherein said controller is a personal computer. 
     
     
       50. The system of  claim 44  wherein the user interface permits actions selected from the group of actions consisting of a) selecting one of a plurality of antennas, b) setting an antenna beam angle, c) nudging an antenna beam angle, d) resetting an antenna beam angle, e) measuring an antenna beam angle, f) enabling an antenna, g) disabling an antenna, h) locking controls of the user interface, and i) unlocking controls of the user interface. 
     
     
       51. Drive means for adjusting the relative phase shifts produced by a plurality of phase shifters connected to an array of radiating elements, said drive means including: 
       first means for moving a first portion of a first phase shifter relative to a second portion of said first phase shifter to vary the phase difference between output signals from the first phase shifter; and  
       second means for moving a first portion of a second phase shifter relative to a second portion of said second phase shifter to vary the phase difference between output signals from the second phase shifter, wherein the second phase shifter is fed from an output of the first phase shifter and the degree of movement of the second means is dependent upon the degree of movement of the first means.